Z-Wave Alliance Announces 700th Certified Product

MILPITAS, CA, September 4, 2012 – The Z-Wave Alliance, a consortium of global companies that oversees the world's largest interoperable ecosystem for wireless home control products and services, today announced its 700th interoperable product. This market milestone appears less than 90 days after its record setting 650th product certification. This monthly double-digit growth demonstrates the exploding worldwide acceptance of the Z-Wave wireless control technology as the key enabler behind the "Internet Of Things".

The landmark 700th product is the ARZ Roof Window Roller Shutter by FAKRO, one of the leading roof window manufacturers with 15% of the worldwide market. Designed for FAKRO roof windows and retrofitable to other manufacturers’ models, the product provides numerous energy saving advantages. The ARZ guards against unwanted heat gain during sunny days, and excessive cooling of the glazing during winter. In addition to added protection for the window, the ARZ also provides enhanced sound reduction and increased security. The product lets home and business owners easily manage energy through passive heating and cooling control, reducing energy bills and creating sustainable, more economical buildings. FAKRO is a principal member of the Z-Wave Alliance and a driving force in smart control for motorized windows and window coverings throughout the world.

"The Alliance congratulates FAKRO on the milestone achievement of being our 700th certified product, " said Mark Walters, Chairman of the Z-Wave Alliance. "It's a testament not only to FAKRO's own leadership in its category, but also their longstanding support for Z-Wave as the interoperable standard for wireless control. These days, energy management, particularly of heating and cooling, is not a luxury, it's a life saver. Products like the FAKRO ARZ will lower heating and costs for any home or business, and because they use Z-Wave, they can be part of a complete home or business solution."

"We’ve championed Z-Wave technology for years and it’s exciting to be the 700th proof point of this international wireless standard," said Michal Hajduga, Product Manager, for FAKRO. "Where other manufacturers have small ecosystems with only a few products under their control umbrella, with Z-Wave, the control picture is open ended. Z-Wave interoperability ensures our customers that their FAKRO product will be the cornerstone in a complete automation solution and that it will integrate with the world largest ecosystem of wireless control products."

The interoperable wireless Z-Wave ecosystem allows products of all types to be easily made 'smart' and controlled and monitored remotely. By operating in the sub-GHz band, Z-Wave is not subject to interference and traffic from Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and other common household wireless technologies. Thanks to its lightweight technical footprint, accessible cost and unique cross-brand compatibility, Z-Wave has established market leadership throughout the world as the standard in wireless control for the connected age.

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About The Z-Wave Alliance:

Established in 2005, the Z-Wave Alliance is an open consortium of leading companies worldwide dedicated to delivering affordable, reliable easy-to-use, wireless home control products and services. With more than 700 interoperable products certified and over 160 members, the Alliance represents the largest ecosystem of wireless control products in existence and the global, brand-recognized companies that bring these products and services to market. The Alliance supports its members with marketing, networking, technical forums, training, best practices, test and certification tools and a complete interoperability lab. For more information about the Alliance and how to join it, please email info@z-wavealliance.org or visit www.z-wavealliance.org.

About FAKRO:

FAKRO is one of the leading roof window manufacturers in the world with 15% share of the global market. A privately owned, family company, FAKRO has 3,300 employees and 12 manufacturing companies around the world, as well as 15 foreign subsidiaries and an extensive international distribution network. FAKRO manufactures a wide range of windows, skylights, blinds, awnings and ventilation systems, including intelligent control systems for these products and applications. For more information, visit www.fakro.com.